Welcome to Crick & Ember

Crick & Ember is an independent imprint devoted to work that stirs, scars, and ultimately sings. Founded by author and creative Lauren Lee Mann, the press is built on a deep belief in emotional truth and the stories that survive us. The name nods to the crick—a word passed down in Delco backyards and whispered in childhood afternoons behind her sister’s house—and to the ember glow of her daughter’s hair, a constant symbol of light, fire, and legacy.

This is a press for the tender and the tenacious. For writing that honors beauty without denying grief. For voices reclaiming themselves after silence. Crick & Ember champions books that don’t just entertain, but remember—offering readers a return to something real.